Washer



Patented Feb. 8, 19.38

UNTED STATES TENT OFFCE William Sellers t Philadelphia, Pat, a Vania Application October 9,

Claims.

This invention relates to'an improvement in locomotive washer.

As is well known, it is customary to wash locomotives when they are serviced by the removal of ashes and replenishment of their coal and water supplies.

For .the washing of a locomotive it is customary to pass the locomotive between stations, as platforms, and to direct upon it from both sides a plurality of sprays of water containing a grease solvent, as coal oil, Oakite (trisodium phosphate) or the like.

Heretofore the washing apparatus has been relatively complicated and expensive, consisting of a pressure tank containing `the solvent, or provided with a solvent feed, and a powerful pump whereby water is Vsupplied to the tank and pressure therein maintained. Hose lines leading from the pressure tank are connected with f i sprayer heads held by the washers, who direct the sprays upon the locomotive as it passes between the stations.

Now in accordance with this invention there is provided a simple and inexpensive device where- L, by the required high pressure spray of water and solvent for the washing of a locomotive is provided with maximum eli'iciency, with exact regulation of the desired proportions of solvent and water, and at a minimum of expense for apparatus and for operation.

Having indicated in a general way the nature and purpose of this invention, I will proceed to a detailed description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

:1 3 Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View showing an'embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional View showing a A modification in the structure of the embodiment of this invention shown in Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to Figure l, a indicates a casing which may be made of any suitable material and may, for example, be a casting.

Into one end of the casing a extends a nozzle b, controlled by an adjustable needle valve l, and S3 adapted to be connected through a conduit o, controlled by a gravity ball check valve p, with a source of solvent or solution, about the end portion of which is a steam nozzle c, which communicates with a steam chamber d in communication with a steam inlet e in the casing adapted to be connected by a conduit e with a source of steam. Extending from the steam nozzle c is a forcing tube comprising sections The rear end of the forcing tube embraces the forward end of the steam nozzle c and of the nozzle b and communi- Company, Incorporated, corporation of Pennsyl- 1934, Serial No. 747,559

cates with a water chamber g in communication with a water inlet h, in the casing, which is adapted to be connected by a conduit h' with a source of water. The section f of the forcing tube extends through the end of the casing and is threaded at its forward end for the reception of a house coupling x.

Surrounding the forcing tube is an overflow chamber z' adapted for communication with an overflow discharge y' through a port controlled by a valve 1c, and in communication with the forcing tube through a port y therein between the sections f and f. Y

A passage m, formed in the casing a, affords communication between the overflow chamber z' and the atmosphere. The passage mis controlled by means of an adjustable needle valve n;

Referring now to Figure 2, the passage m, in casing a, controlled by adjustable needle valve n is arranged to be connected with a source of solvent or solution through a conduit r controlled by a spring ball check valve s.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and as modified as shown in Figure 2 the forcing tube section f may, if desired, be provided with apertures t.

In practice, using the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a suitable hose equipped with a spray head is coupled to the end of the section f of the forcing tube and steam and water turned on, steam passing through nozzle c will force water, from the water chamber g, through the forcing tube. At the same time, partial condensation of steam on meeting the water at the discharge end of steam nozzle c will create a partial vacuum which will operate to lift solvent, as coal oil, an Oakite solution, or the like, from the supply thereof for delivery through nozzle b with the water discharged through the forcing tube.

Back pressure into the supply of solvent or solution will be prevented by the ball check valve p and the delivery of solvent through nozzle b will be controlled by needle valve Z. A

The stream of admixed water and solvent or solution passing through the forcing tube at high .velocity will create a partial vacuum on the overflow passage i, which results in a drawing into chamber z' of air through passage m under 'control of valve n., which is adjusted to admit a desired amount of air. The air passes from chamber z through the port y, and through apertures t, if they be provided, into the periphery of the stream as it passes from section f to section f of the forcing tube, with the result that the homogeneity of the stream is broken up so that 55 -through port y, and apertures t, if they be proon discharge against a surface at high velocity through, for example, a nozzle, it will readily break up and exert an increased washing action over that obtained by a stream free from` air.

In practice using the modification shown in Figure 2, the passage m is connected to an elevated source of solvent or solution throughconduit 1, while the nozzle b is left open to the atmosphere through gravity check valve p. In operation air is drawn into the center of the stream formed in forcing tube section f, through nozzle b, under control of valve l, by the vacuum created by the condensation of steam issuing from steam nozzle c which is suiiicient to raise gravity check valve p. At the same time solvent, under the control of valve n, passes check valve s and flows into chamber i, from which it passes, under the influence of vacuum drawn on chamber i by the passage of the stream through the forcing tube, and which acts to open check valve s,

vided, into the stream. The air drawn into the center of the stream breaks up its homogeneity so that it readily breaks on discharge, at high velocity, through, for example, a nozzle, against a surface and gives increased washing effect.

It will be noted that while overflow may occur from the forcing tube through chamber i when the device is initially started, by the turn- Ying on of steam and water, such overow will be small and will not, even in part, pass out through passage m if the valve n, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 be kept closed until the jet has formed; and cannot pass into the source of solvent or solution in the modification shown in Figure 2 since the check valve s will prevent. i Y

. When the device is not in use, it is only necessary to turn off the steam and water, it being noted that in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 there is no gravitational flow of solvent which needs to be controlled, While in the modification shown in Figure 2 the check valve s prevents the flow of solvent.

It will be appreciated that variousV modifications in detail may be made in the apparatus herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of this invention. Thus, for example, the solvent delivery nozzle may be variously led into the casing and, if desired, the solvent may be delivered gravitationally at any suitable point for discharge with water from the forcing tube.

As will be obvious the washer in accordance with this invention will be adaptable for use in washing variously and that it is not contemplated that this invention shall be in any way limited by the above description of a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the washing of locomotives.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A washer including, in combination, a casing, an overflow chamber in said casing, a discharge passage from said overow chamber to the atmosphere, a check valve positioned in said discharge passage to prevent entry of air therethrough, a steam nozzle'within said casing adapted to be connected to a source of live steam, a forcing tube provided with a port in communication with said overiiow chamber and adapted to receive steam from said nozzle, separate conduits for the supply of solvent and water to said forcing tube undery the influence of vacuum created by the jet of steam from said nozzle, said conduits preventing the solvent and water from mingling until they reach the forcing tube, a second passage formed in said casing and affording communication between said overflow chamber and the atmosphere, and a needle valve adapted to regulate the amount of air flowing through said second passage.

2. The method of forming a jet of admixed water and solvent containing air dispersed therein, which comprises drawing water and solvent separately into a conduit under the influence of a jet of steam directed into said conduit, admitting air in controlled amount to the stream of water and solvent in said conduit and discharging the said stream carrying air from said conduit in a jet.

3. The method of forming a jet of admixed water and solvent containing air dispersed therein, which comprises drawing water and solvent separately into a conduit under the influence of a jet of steam directed into said conduit, admitting air in controlled amount to the center of the stream of water and solvent in said conduit and discharging the said stream carrying air from said conduit in a jet.

y4r. The method of forming a jet of admixed water and solvent containing air dispersed therein, which comprises drawing water and solvent separately into a conduit under the influence of a jet of steam directed into said conduit, admitting air in controlled amount to the periphery of the stream of water and solvent in said conduit and discharging the said stream carrying air from said conduit in a jet.

5. A washer including, in combination, a casing, an overflow chamber in said casing, a discharge passage from said .overflow chamber to the atmosphere, a check valve positioned in said discharge passage to prevent entry of air therethrough, a steam nozzle within said casing'adapted to be connected to a source of live steam, a forcing tube provided with a port in communication with said overflow chamber and adapted to receive steam from said nozzle, separate ,conduits for the supply of solvent and water'to said forcing tube under the influence of vacuum created by the jet of steam from said nozzle, said conduits preventing the solvent and water from mingling until they reach the forcing tube, a second passage formed in said casing and affording communication between said overflow chamber and the atmosphere, and a valve adapted to regulate the amount of air flowing through said second passage.

IRENE P. PEDRICK. 

